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Hundreds of children of key workers have returned to school sites, where they are taking part in the same 'distance learning' programme as their peers at home.
Teachers have had to adapt to the situation, coming in to supervise the children and offer additional support whenever required.
“We had some 300 school staff volunteer to work during the half term, to make sure the school site could be open for students,” said Advisor to the Civil Contingencies Authority, Paul Whitfield. “We want to thank them and the teachers for making this happen.”
Students on educational sites this week are following the same distance learning timetable as their peers, it has been confirmed, with the States saying that school-based staff "will support them in the same way as parents at home are supporting their own children and young people."
Pictured: An example of the schedule some students in States schools will be following.
The distance learning programme has been praised by the Teacher’s Union NASUWT and has been developed further than the original timetable produced for the Bailiwick’s first lockdown. Concerns have however been raised about the absence of 'live' lessons, which have been delivered by the private colleges but not by the States schools.
"Our excellent distance learning provision has been developed by senior educationalists with support from staff across our schools," said Education, Sport & Culture President Andrea Dudley-Owen.
"They should be commended for their innovation and the Committee is hugely appreciative of the dedication and commitment shown by staff, who themselves are also adjusting to different work practices and the stresses and strains that lockdown brings for many of us.
"The Committee is aware that there is a debate on whether “live” lessons are superior to pre-recorded or self-directed learning. The reality is there is no educational evidence to suggest teachers hosting live online lessons is the best or only option, which is why the distance learning policy supports a blended approach."
This includes pre-recorded content and learning materials from third party providers, which does not take place at a fixed time and can be "juggled around" depending on family commitments.
Laurie Baker, Strategic Education Advisor to Education, Sport & Culture, said the education workforce has been "unbelievably committed, flexible and responsive."
“With about 7,000 students attending States-run schools, from wide-ranging backgrounds and abilities, it was essential that our distance learning programme met everyone’s needs.”
Pictured: Official guidance from ESC states that it would only be "equitable" to deliver live lessons if all students in class were able to participate in them.
The private colleges have their own curriculums in place and have also re-opened their doors to children of essential workers.
“We are pleased to be able to support the children of key workers and other vulnerable children through our on-site provision,” said the Principal of Elizabeth College, Jenny Palmer.
“We have two teams of staff working on rotation at each of the Upper School and Junior School. These staff are regularly tested as part of the States testing programme and the arrangements for testing have been well organised and have run very smoothly from our perspective."
School age children are not the only people in education affected by the lockdown. Many of the Guernsey Institute’s students are adults, and work has been done to accommodate these learners too.
“With many of our learners midway through some element of technical, vocational or professional learning, their plans have also been disrupted,” said Executive Principal, Jacki Hughes.
Pictured The College of Further Education is offering a Career Advantage Programme for free, for people who’ve had their employment impacted by lockdown.
The three organisations under the TGI [The Institute of Health & Social Care, the GTA University and the College of Further Education] have all pulled together to offer various different distance learning options.
“Our students are experiencing a range of distance learning methods,” said Principal of the GCFE, Louise Misselke, “online lessons might have practical demonstrations via google meet – we record these so that students are able to watch later and continue to practice their skills.”
No timeframe is available yet for when all students might be able to return to school. It will definitely not happen in Stage 1 of the exit from lockdown, which comes into play on Monday.
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